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Basin scale monitoring of microplastics and phthalates in sediments from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Makran using GIS-based algorithms: Insights towards spatial variation and potential risk assessment

Aghadadashi, V ; Sharif University of Technology | 2024

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171950
  3. Publisher: 2024
  4. Abstract:
  5. Information on sedimentary microplastics and phthalates has been restricted to the coastal regions of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Makran. Our basin-wide study monitored their levels, spatial behaviors, and potential risks using GIS-based techniques. Microplastics and phthalates ranged from 5 to 75 particles/kg d.w and 0.004–1.219 μg g−1 d.w, respectively. Microplastics were in the size category of 100 μm to 3 mm, and black microfibers (< 1 mm) and high-density polymers were dominant. The total number of microplastics was between 356.333 × 1012 and 469.075 × 1012 particles in the surface sediments of the studied regions (confidence interval = 99 %). Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and Di-isobutyl phthalate contributed 88 % of detected phthalates. Significant correlations among microplastic abundance, total phthalates, and DEHP were distinguished (p < 0.05). Overall, the findings reiterated the widespread presence of microplastics and a potential link between phthalates and microplastics. Semi-variogram, cluster Voronoi polygons, and Trend analysis identified spatial outliers and major deposition sites of microplastics and phthalates and consequently outlined the localities where upcoming studies should be concentrated. A hotspot of potential risks was marked using Fuzzy logic and GIS-based algorithms in the Sea of Makran, covering an area equal to 342. 99 km2. © 2024 Elsevier B.V
  6. Keywords:
  7. Microfibers ; Phthalates esters ; Spatial outliers ; Voronoi polygons ; Arabian Sea ; Gulf of Oman ; Indian Ocean ; Persian Gulf ; Esters ; Fuzzy logic ; Microplastic ; Risk assessment ; Spatial distribution ; Spatial variables measurement ; Statistics ; Phthalic acid ; Phthalic acid bis(2 ethylhexyl) ester ; Plasticizer ; Polymer ; Ester ; Di-ethyl-hexyl phthalate ; Micro-fiber ; Microplastics ; Phthalate ester ; Phthalates ; Potential risks ; Spatial outlier ; Trend analysis ; Voronoi polygon ; Confidence interval ; Fuzzy mathematics ; GIS ; Marine sediment ; Microstructure ; Phthalate ; Plastic waste ; Pollution monitoring ; Sediment pollution ; Spatial variation ; Bulk density ; Controlled study ; Drug toxicity ; High performance liquid chromatography ; Human ; Hydrophobicity ; Landfill ; Mass fragmentography ; Monitoring ; Particle size ; Particulate matter ; Pulse pressure ; Raman spectrometry ; Sediment ; Spatial behavior ; Stereomicroscopy ; Algorithm ; Geographic information system ; Geographic information systems
  8. Source: Science of the Total Environment ; Volume 927 , 2024 ; 00489697 (ISSN)
  9. URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004896972402093X